KPMG and Microsoft have expanded their global artificial intelligence relationship. The agreement includes KPMG's adoption of Microsoft Agent 365 across its global organisation.
KPMG will also extend Microsoft 365 Copilot to its workforce of more than 276,000 professionals, as the firms aim to move AI use from pilot projects to broader deployment for KPMG and its clients.
The move brings Microsoft's agent management technology into KPMG Workbench, the firm's internal ecosystem for coordinating AI tools used in client service delivery. The system will manage how AI agents are deployed, monitored, updated and controlled across the global network.
Member firms are also working with Microsoft to help clients put AI agents into production with governance, security and controls in place. The arrangement covers KPMG's work across audit, tax and advisory.
Broader rollout
KPMG already uses Microsoft 365 Copilot, and the latest expansion will make the tool available across its global workforce. The wider rollout is intended to support day-to-day work and standardise how AI is used in service delivery.
Within KPMG, the new setup is tied to the firm's Trusted AI framework, which sets rules around accountability, visibility and oversight. Those measures are intended to support businesses as they shift from small AI tests to wider operational use.
Lisa Heneghan, Global Chief Digital Officer at KPMG, set out the rationale for the broader deployment. "Microsoft and KPMG are working together to scale AI across our global network to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients by putting Copilot and Agent 365 in the hands of our people. At the same time, KPMG professionals are working directly with clients to apply these capabilities to help them scale their own AI transformation in a trusted and responsible way. This requires strong foundations in governance, visibility and accountability - it is a key step in embedding responsible AI into the heart of our culture and helping clients do the same," Heneghan said.
Client focus
KPMG said the expanded use of Agent 365 and Copilot will shape both its service delivery and its advice to clients building their own AI operating models. The aim is to give clients a path from isolated trials to wider deployment with central oversight.
That includes integrating AI across business systems and workflows, managing agents with central visibility and control, and setting governance, risk and compliance frameworks with defined ownership and lifecycle management.
KPMG Workbench is central to that effort. Built on Microsoft Foundry, Workbench is designed to coordinate multiple AI agents across the firm's client service delivery platforms.
In audit, AI tools will continue to be integrated into KPMG Clara, its global audit platform. The additions are expected to support analysis and risk identification during audit work.
Scott Flynn, Global Head of Audit at KPMG International, said the change was significant for the practice. "This announcement represents a pivotal milestone in our AI-powered, human assured audit transformation. Embedding Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent 365 enhances real-time analysis, earlier risk identification and delivers deeper insights, while strengthening audit quality, transparency and confidence for clients," Flynn said.
Customer examples
KPMG and Microsoft cited customer work to illustrate the types of programmes they are targeting under the expanded relationship. The examples focused on organisations seeking to embed AI into core functions rather than run limited pilots.
Julie Hotchkiss, Executive Director at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, said Microsoft's technology was central to its digital programme with KPMG. "KPMG is helping us move beyond platform modernization with Microsoft's technology stack and emerging agentic-enabled AI capability. With Microsoft underpinning our global digital transformation, we're on path to becoming an intelligent and adaptive organization where technology anticipates needs, supports our people, and helps us to continuously improve how we support our members across the world," Hotchkiss said.
Integra LifeSciences described a phased approach to AI deployment across several business functions, including supply chain and regulatory work. The company said it had built a dedicated team and operating model around responsible and compliant rollouts.
"At Integra LifeSciences, we are operationalizing AI to deliver measurable business results. Through a phased roadmap, we are embedding AI capabilities, such as Microsoft Copilot, into core functions, including Global Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and Medical Affairs. We've established an enterprise AI operating model and a dedicated team to help ensure every deployment is responsible, secure, and compliant. By scaling high-impact use cases and tracking adoption and ROI, we are enabling faster, data-driven decisions and improving operational performance. This approach is accelerating our transformation into a more adaptive organization - advancing transformational care in neurosurgery and tissue reconstruction and ultimately helping restore lives," said Dimitri Kvares, Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Integra LifeSciences.
Microsoft said the wider partnership with KPMG is intended to help clients integrate AI more deeply into how work is done. "Together with KPMG, we're unlocking the full potential of the next phase of AI in the enterprise. By combining Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent 365 with KPMG's deep industry knowledge and delivery and governance capabilities, we are helping clients further embed AI into how work is delivered and enabling the move from experimentation to enterprise-scale impact," said Deb Cupp, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer for Microsoft Global Enterprise.